Ebola

Ebola is a rare but severe infectious disease caused by a virus. It is understood that Ebola viruses – with six distinct species identified to date – circulate among wild animals in sub-Saharan Africa.
The virus has been detected in fruit bats (Pteropodidae), chimpanzees, gorillas, and duikers, with human infections directly linked to contact with these animals. 

Transmission

The virus spreads between humans exclusively through direct contact with:
Infected bodily fluids: blood or other fluids (such as saliva, urine, or vomit) from infected individuals or those who have died from the disease*
Contaminated objects: items exposed to these fluids, including needles, clothing, or bed linen
Infected animals: contact with monkeys, bats, or bushmeat
* An infected body remains highly contagious for approximately 7 days after death
Healthcare workers caring for Ebola patients face a particularly high risk of contracting the infection.
The virus is not airborne, meaning that simply sharing a room with an infected individual does not put you at risk. Furthermore, individuals are only contagious once they begin to develop symptoms.

Symptoms and progression

Symptoms typically appear between 2 and 21 days after exposure. Early signs mirror the flu, including a fever, headache, sore throat, muscle and joint aches, and severe fatigue. As the illness progresses, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rashes, kidney failure, and liver damage. In some instances, Ebola causes both internal and external bleeding.


The disease progresses rapidly and can be fatal within two weeks of the onset of symptoms. Depending on the specific outbreak and the viral species involved, the case fatality rate ranges from 25% to 90%.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosing Ebola virus disease requires specialized laboratory tests to detect the presence of the virus in blood or other biological samples. There is currently no definitive cure for the disease. Treatment focuses primarily on supportive clinical care, such as intensive rehydration and symptom management. If started promptly, these measures significantly improve the chances of survival.

The 2026 outbreak response

On 16 May 2026, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency following an outbreak of Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BVD), reported across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

 

In Italy, the risk of transmission is considered low, largely due to the absence of direct flights connecting Italy to either the Congo or Uganda. As a strict precautionary measure, however, the Minister of Health signed an official directive on 29 May 2026 setting out mandatory operational procedures and health surveillance guidelines for travellers, as well as for personnel working in air and sea transport within the affected regions.
Puglia Region, in compliance with the Ministry of Health’s directives, has implemented all necessary screening and surveillance protocols to monitor the situation and protect public health.

 

If you are returning to Italy and have travelled through or visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda within the last 21 days, you are legally required to self-report.

01

You must report your arrival within 24 hours of entering Italy by completing the attached form

02

Submitt it to the Prevention Department of your local health authority (ASL):

03

Formally notify it to the regional authorities:

Documents